UM News Digest - Feb. 11, 2026

UM News Digest - Feb. 11, 2026

United Methodists ordain first elders in Honduras
UMCOR’s Sager Brown Depot to close
Mobile clinic heals physically and spiritually

“This is historic for Methodism in Latin America.” — Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr., episcopal leader of the United Methodist Mission in Honduras.

A mural depicting an immigrant woman opening her arms as a symbol of freedom and hope is displayed on the façade of one of the buildings that houses migrants at the government-run Irregular Migrant Assistance Center in Danlí, Honduras. The center includes a clinic supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

The United Methodist Mission in Honduras ordained its first three elders since its founding in 1997. In the photo, the bishops present lay hands on María Magdalena Zelaya Cruz. From left: Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo, Bishop Juan de Dios Peña, Bishop Emeritus José Roberto Peña Nazario, Bishop Juan Miguel Simpson Bennett, and Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

United Methodists ordain first elders in Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (UM News) — The United Methodist Mission in Honduras is experiencing a defining moment in its history, with the ordination — for the first time since its founding — of native elders of the country. Juana Jamileth Moncada Torres, Héctor Mauricio Laínez and María Magdalena Zelaya Cruz are the first pastors to be ordained as United Methodist elders in the region. The Rev. Gustavo Vásquez reports.

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Volunteers pack relief supply kits at the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La. UMCOR announced that it will no longer operate the depot, starting January 2027, as it looks to modernize the way the relief agency manages materials and reduce costs. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Volunteers pack relief supply kits at the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

UMCOR’s Sager Brown Depot to close
BALDWIN, La. (UM News) — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has announced it will conclude operations at the Sager Brown Depot in 2027 as it reimagines how disaster relief supplies are assembled, stored and deployed. Plans are to modernize the way the relief agency manages materials while reducing costs. UMCOR will continue its work at the Sager Brown campus through the end of this year and host all scheduled mission experiences. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel reports.
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Read press release

Mobile clinic heals physically and spiritually
CHICUQUE, Mozambique (UM News) — A United Methodist Mobile Clinic is providing essential health services to rural communities. During the first three years of its operation, the clinic has provided more than 21,000 vaccinations, treated thousands of babies and mothers and diagnosed malaria, malnutrition, HIV and other health problems. Ezequiel M. Nhantumbo has the story.
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North Alabama Conference, Religion and Race
United Methodists call for church’s anti-racist witness
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bishop L. Jonathan Holston noted that the recent posting by President Trump’s social media account of racist depictions of the Obamas has prompted dismay, anger and sorrow. “As a people of faith opposed to racism and committed to social justice, we again find ourselves called to witness, advocacy and prayer,” wrote the bishop of the North Alabama and Alabama-West Florida conferences. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race also condemned the video.
Read bishop’s statement
Read Religion and Race statement

Dakotas Conference
Packing Creativity Kits for Kids in Minnesota
MITCHELL, S.D. — United Methodists in Minnesota and beyond are responding to the needs of children affected by increased immigration enforcement. Churches in the Dakotas and Minnesota conferences are providing signs of hope and care through Creativity Kits for Kids. The gift bags help affected young people, many of whom are staying home for safety, be kids again, and they give their parents space to focus on keeping their family safe. Churches can help by gathering items such as crayons, stickers, games and puzzles. Dakotas Conference staff have the story.
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KQTV-ABC
Church steps up after massive fire
CAMERON, Mo. — Multiple businesses and apartments in Cameron caught fire Feb. 3 and reignited the next morning. In the following hours, Cameron United Methodist Church opened to accept donations for individuals involved. The supply drive was led by the church’s director of youth and lay ministries. Jake Walker has the story.
Read story and watch video

United Methodist Communications
AI, ethics and the spiritual journey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a new episode of Compass Podcast, author and pastor the Rev. Nathan Webb explores the spiritual implications of artificial intelligence. He shares his experiences with AI tools that help him manage his daily tasks and ADHD, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in their use within faith communities.
Listen to podcast

Worship conference planned for Black churches
DALLAS — Leaders from Black Christian congregations across the U.S. are invited to participate in a national worship revival conference April 29-May 2 at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. Leading the “Shifting the Atmosphere” conference are the Junius B. Dotson Institute for Worship and Music in the Black Church and Beyond, part of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
Learn more
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